Safety shield for medical needles

ABSTRACT

A medical needle shield apparatus is provided which includes an extensible shield having a first segment and a second segment extending therefrom. The second segment includes an opening configured for clearance of a medical needle of a medical needle device during attachment of the extensible shield to the medical needle device. The second segment defines a planar surface adjacent a distal portion thereof. The planar surface is configured to engage the needle for disposing the shield in an extended position. In alternate embodiment, the medical needle shield apparatus has a syringe having a needle hub supporting a needle. The first segment articulates from a collar disposed about the needle hub. The collar includes a pair of latches. The opening is configured for travel about the needle to facilitate extension of the shield from a retracted position to an extended position. The second segment further includes a proximal fulcrum that engages the needle to facilitate extension of the shield. The second segment also has a pair of catches. The catches are engageable with the latches to maintain the shield in the retracted position. The second segment has a nose portion defining a planar surface configured to engage the needle to facilitate fixing the shield in the extended position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/164,944, filed in the U.S. Patent and TrademarkOffice on Jun. 6, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/892,593, filed in the U.S. Patent and TrademarkOffice on Jun. 27, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/433,449, filed in the U.S. Patent and TrademarkOffice on Nov. 4, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,420, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/434,036,filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 4, 1999, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,254,575, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/619,190, filed in the U.S. Patent and TrademarkOffice on Jul. 19, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,556, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/254,506, filed inthe U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Dec. 8, 2000, and claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/275,810, filed inthe U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Mar. 14, 2001, now abandoned,and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/275,886, filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Mar. 14,2001, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/296,968, filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Jun. 8, 2001.The entire contents of each of these applications is hereby incorporatedby reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to safety shields for medicalneedles, and more particularly, to safety shields that are extensible toprevent hazardous exposure to a needle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Problems associated with inadvertent needle sticks are well known in theart of blood sampling, percutaneous medication injection and othermedical procedures involving use of medical needles. Significantattention has been focused on needle stick problems due to thecontemporary sensitivity of exposure to AIDS, Hepatitis and otherserious blood-borne pathogen exposures.

Procedures for removing a needle from a patient commonly require aclinician to use one hand to place pressure at the wound site where aneedle is being withdrawn, while removing the needle device with theother hand. It is also common practice for a clinician to give higherpriority to care for the wound than is given to disposal of the needle.In the case of typical needle devices without safety shields, suchpriority either requires the convenience of an available sharpscontainer within reach or another means for safe disposal, withoutleaving the patient's side. Thus, the difficulty in providing adequatecare while following safety procedures is often compounded by thepatient's physical condition and mental state, such as in burn units andpsychiatric wards. Under such conditions, proper disposal of a usedneedle, while caring for a patient, is a technological challenge to thestate of the art.

The widespread knowledge and history associated with needle care anddisposal problems have resulted in numerous devices for preventingaccidental needle sticks. Some devices utilize a separate sheath or capmounted over the needle after use. These devices, however, require twohanded manipulation from a practitioner.

Other known devices employ sheaths that are spring activated,telescoping, pivoting, etc. These devices, however, maydisadvantageously misfire or be cumbersome to activate. Furtherdrawbacks of current devices include high manufacturing cost due tocomplexity and the number of parts. Thus, these type prior art devicesmay not adequately and reliably shield needle infusion and/or fluidcollection apparatus to prevent hazardous exposure.

Consequently, there remains a need to provide a more satisfactorysolution for needle safety devices by overcoming the disadvantages anddrawbacks of the prior art. Therefore, it would be desirable to providea more adequate and reliable medical needle shield apparatus whichemploys an extensible safety shield to prevent hazardous exposure to aneedle. Such a needle shield apparatus should be easily and reliablyextendable to shield a needle tip of a needle cannula. It would bedesirable if the needle shield apparatus was actuated via one handedoperation. It would be highly desirable if the medical needle shieldapparatus facilitates efficient assembly and manufacture thereof.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present disclosure addresses a need for a medicalneedle shield apparatus which effectively and inexpensively protects amedical needle of a syringe and/or fluid collection device after use.The present disclosure resolves related disadvantages and drawbacksexperienced in the art. More specifically, the apparatus and method ofthis invention constitute an important advance in the art of safetyneedle devices.

In one particular embodiment, a prefilled medical needle shieldapparatus is provided in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure. The prefilled medical needle shield apparatus includes acollar and hingedly connected segments extensible from the collar. Theshield is extensible from a retracted position to an extended position.The collar is configured to attach to a distal end of a prefilledsyringe.

The shield may be locked in the extended position. The shield may alsobe irreversibly locked in the extended position. The shield may belocked in the extended position via engagement with the needle. The lockmay include a portion configured to flexibly engage the needle and biasto lockably retain the needle. Alternatively, the shield includeslocking means to lock the shield in the extended position. In anotherembodiment, the distal end of the shield includes a surface configuredto enclose at least a portion of the distal end of the needle. Thedistal end of the shield may have a surface configured to align theshield with the needle.

In another embodiment, the shield includes a catch that engages acorresponding latch to releasably dispose the shield in the retractedposition. In another alternate embodiment, the shield has a manipulatingactuator configured to urge the shield towards the extended position.The shield segments may be connected via living hinges. The shield mayinclude a needle flap lock that engages the needle in the extendedposition.

In another embodiment, the distal segment has an underside including asurface extending over at least a portion of the distal segment forretaining the distal end of the needle. The shield may include at leastone flap lock associated with the distal segment and/or proximal segmentfor securing the shield in the extended position. The medical needleshield apparatus may include a retainer for holding the segments in aretracted position. The retainer can include a retainer arm disposed onthe needle hub and extending to a corresponding catch disposed on theshield in the retracted position.

In another embodiment, at least one segment includes at least one needleguide for facilitating extension of the segments when extending theshield over the needle. The shield may further include a raised surfacefor aid in urging the shield to the extended position.

In another particular embodiment, in accordance with the principles ofthe present disclosure, the medical needle shield apparatus includes anextensible shield having a first segment and a second segment extendingtherefrom. The second segment includes an opening configured forclearance of a medical needle of a medical needle device duringattachment of the extensible shield to the medical needle device. Thesecond segment defines a planar surface adjacent a distal portionthereof. The planar surface is configured to engage the needle fordisposing the shield in an extended position. In another alternateembodiment, the second segment has extending means for facilitatingextension of the shield from a retracted position to an extendedposition about a needle.

In yet another alternate embodiment, the medical needle shield apparatushas a syringe having a needle hub supporting a needle. An extensibleshield includes a first segment and a second segment articulatingtherefrom. The first segment articulates from a collar disposed aboutthe needle hub. The collar includes a pair of latches. The opening isconfigured for travel about the needle to facilitate extension of theshield from a retracted position to an extended position. The secondsegment further includes a proximal fulcrum that engages the needle tofacilitate extension of the shield. The second segment also has a pairof catches. The catches are engageable with the latches to maintain theshield in the retracted position. The second segment has a nose portiondefining a planar surface configured to engage the needle to facilitatefixing the shield in the extended position.

A method of assembling a medical needle shield with a medical needledevice is disclosed, in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure. The method includes the steps of providing a medical needledevice having a medical needle extending therefrom; providing a medicalneedle shield including: an extensible shield including a first segmentand a second segment extending therefrom, the second segment includingan opening configured for clearance of the medical needle duringattachment of the medical needle shield to the medical needle device,the opening being transversely oriented relative to the distal segment;positioning the medical needle shield for assembly with the medicalneedle device such that the needle travels through the opening and thefirst segment is disposed for mounting with the medical needle device;and mounting the first segment to the medical needle device.

The step of providing a medical needle shield may further include theproximal segment being articulated to a collar and the step of mountingfurther including mounting the first segment to the medical needledevice by attaching the collar to an outer surface of the medical needledevice.

The step of providing a medical needle shield may include acircumferential wall of the second segment which defines the opening.Alternatively, the step of providing a medical needle device furtherincludes a needle cover mounted to the medical needle device andsubstantially enclosing the medical needle and the step of manipulationfurther includes manipulation such that the needle cover travels throughthe opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be more fully understood from the following detaileddescription of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medical needle safety shield apparatusin accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the safety shield apparatus shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the safety shield apparatus shown inFIG. 1 during extension;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the safety shield apparatus shown inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the safety shield apparatus shown inFIG. 1 in the extended position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the safety shield apparatus shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the safety shield apparatus shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the safety shield apparatus shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8A is a cutaway perspective view of the safety shield apparatusshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the safety shield apparatus shown inFIG. 1 separate from a prefilled syringe with a needle cover;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the safety shield apparatus attached tothe prefilled syringe and the needle cover shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a cutaway perspective view of an alternate embodiment of alocking arrangement for the safety shield apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The exemplary embodiments of the medical needle shield apparatus andmethods of operation disclosed are discussed in terms of medical needlesfor infusion of intravenous fluids, medication infusion or fluidcollection, and more particularly, in terms of needle shield apparatusemployed with a needle cannula that prevent hazardous exposure to theneedle cannula, including, for example, inadvertent needle stick. It iscontemplated that the needle cannula may be shielded during useincluding storage, transport, fluid infusion and/or collection,subsequent thereto, etc. It is envisioned that the present disclosure,however, finds application to a wide variety of cannula needles anddevices for the infusion of preventive medications, medicaments,therapeutics, etc. to a subject. It is also envisioned that the presentdisclosure may be employed for collection of body fluids including thoseemployed during procedures relating to phlebotomy, digestive,intestinal, urinary, veterinary, etc. It is contemplated that themedical needle shield apparatus may be utilized with other medicalneedle applications including phlebotomy devices, catheters, catheterintroducers, guide wire introducers, spinal and epidural, biopsy,aphaeresis, dialysis, blood donor, Veress needles, Huber needles, etc.

In the discussion that follows, the term “proximal” refers to a portionof a structure that is closer to a clinician, and the term “distal”refers to a portion that is further from the clinician. As used herein,the term “subject” refers to a patient that receives infusions or hasblood and/or fluid collected therefrom using the medical needle shieldapparatus. According to the present disclosure, the term “clinician”refers to an individual administering an infusion, performing fluidcollection, installing or removing a needle cannula from a medicalneedle shield apparatus and may include support personnel.

The following discussion includes a description of the medical needleshield apparatus, followed by a description of the method of operatingthe medical needle shield apparatus in accordance with the presentdisclosure. Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplaryembodiments of the disclosure, which are illustrated in the accompanyingfigures.

Turning now to the figures, wherein like components are designated bylike reference numerals throughout the several views. Referringinitially to FIGS. 1-8, there is illustrated a medical needle shieldapparatus including an extensible shield, such as, for example, safetyshield 10, constructed in accordance with the principals of the presentdisclosure. Safety shield 10 is advantageously configured to preventhazardous exposure to a needle cannula 15 by providing an adequate andreliable medical needle shield apparatus for a needle infusion and/orfluid collection device which shields a needle via one handed operation,as will be discussed below.

Safety shield 10 is attached to a medical needle device, such as, forexample, prefilled syringe 11 to facilitate safe infusion of fluids to asubject (not shown) from a sterile cartridge or the like. Safety shield10 may be attached to prefilled syringe 11 via spin welding, adhesive,other welding methods, etc. Alternatively, safety shield 10 may bemonolithically, integrally connected, etc. with the distal end ofprefilled syringe 11. Safety shield 10 is employed with a needle cannula15 supported by a needle hub 50 of prefilled syringe 11. It iscontemplated that a syringe employed may be prefilled with a fluid, suchas a pharmaceutical medication or may be a prefillable syringe which issubsequently filled with a medication. It is further contemplated thatsafety shield 10 may be used with other fluid infusion, fluidcollection, catheters, introducers, etc., similar to those describedabove.

Safety shield 10 includes a first segment, such as, for example,proximal segment 14 and a second segment, such as, for example, distalsegment 16 extending therefrom. Distal segment 16 includes acircumferential wall, such as, for example, a cylinder 24. Cylinder 24is disposed about needle cannula 15 and configured to facilitateextension of safety shield 10 between a retracted position (FIG. 1) andan extended position (FIG. 5), as will be discussed.

Distal segment 16 defines a planar surface, such as, for example, a base32, discussed in more detail below, adjacent a distal portion 52thereof. Base 32 is configured to engage needle cannula 15 for disposingsafety shield 10 in the extended position.

Thus, another advantage of the present disclosure is that safety shield10 is easily extendable via one handed activation, resulting in a higherdegree of safety to the clinician and subject. Further, thisconfiguration of safety shield 10 advantageously provides guidedextension of the shield to reliably prevent hazardous exposure to needlecannula 15 during manipulation.

Safety shield 10 is desirably contemplated for use in the field ofmedical fluid infusion and/or collection. More particularly, safetyshield apparatus 10 is envisioned to be a disposable needle deviceemploying, among other things, safety features having shieldingcapabilities to prevent inadvertent sticking or punctures of cliniciansand subjects, as well as uniform and dependable movement during aprocedure and a locking mechanism for reliable use. The aboveadvantages, among others, realized from the present disclosure areattained through the disclosed safety shield 10, which is extensible toa protective configuration, as discussed hereinbelow. These features ofthe present disclosure advantageously facilitate a safe infusion and/orcollection of fluids and prevent inadvertent needle stick of a clinicianand subject.

Safety shield 10 is monolithically formed. It is contemplated, however,that the component parts of safety shield 10 may be integrallyassembled. Safety shield 10 can be fabricated from a material suitablefor medical applications, such as, for example, polymerics or metals,such as stainless steel, depending on the particular medical applicationand/or preference of a clinician. Semi-rigid and rigid polymerics arecontemplated for fabrication, as well as resilient materials, such asmolded medical grade polypropylene. However, one skilled in the art willrealize that other materials and fabrication methods suitable forassembly and manufacture, in accordance with the present disclosure,also would be appropriate. Alternatively, portions of safety shield 10can be monolithically formed and assembled therewith.

Proximal segment 14 is articulated to a collar 12 via a hingedconnection. It is contemplated that the hinged connection of proximalsegment 14 to collar 12 may be living hinges, pinned hinges, etc., oralternatively, may be movably connected by other structure, such as,ball joint, etc. As shown in FIGS. 5-8, a pair of arms 54 extend tocollar 12 and connect thereto via living hinges 19. This configurationprovides movement of proximal segment 14 relative to collar 12,facilitating extension of safety shield 10. It is envisioned that one ora plurality of hinged connections may be used. Collar 12 is fixedlymounted to an outer surface of a distal end of prefilled syringe 11,such as, for example, a luer lock collar 38. Luer lock collar 38 isdisposed about needle hub 50. Collar 12 may also be mounted directly toneedle hub 50 or various portions of prefilled syringe 11.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, collar 12 includes a pair of latches 20disposed for engagement with a corresponding pair of catches 22 formedwith distal segment 16. Cooperative engagement of latches 20 and catches22 releasably locks safety shield 10 in the retracted position. Latches20 have a female-type configuration for releasably receiving catches 22male-type component part in a snap fit engagement. The releasablelocking engagement provides a tactile feel and audible signal thatsafety shield 10 is in the retracted position.

To release safety shield 10 from the retracted position, a manualactuator 18 provides an engagement surface for urging safety shield 10to the extended position and consequently disengaging catches 22 fromlatches 20. It is envisioned that other releasable engagements may beemployed such as, for example, friction fit, interference fit, etc.,that the male/female components are reversed, or, alternatively that nosuch releasable engagement is used.

Distal segment 16 articulates from proximal segment 14 in a hingedconnection. It is contemplated that the hinged connection of proximalsegment 14 and distal segment 16 may be living hinges, pinned hinges,etc., or alternatively, may be movably connected by other structure,such as ball joint, etc. A pair of arms 56 extend from proximal segment14 to distal segment 16 for corresponding connection via living hinges19. This configuration provides movement of distal segment 16 relativeto proximal segment 14 facilitating extension of safety shield 10. It isenvisioned that one or a plurality of hinged connections may be used.Upon engagement of manual actuator 18 with a clinician's hand, finger,etc., or a table top, etc., safety shield 10 is urged from the retractedposition to the extended position for protecting a sharpened tip 17 ofneedle cannula 15 after a medical procedure.

Distal segment 16 includes cylinder 24 which defines an opening 58.Opening 58 is transversely oriented relative to the body of distalsegment 16. Opening 58 is configured such that cylinder 24 travels aboutneedle cannula 15 to facilitate extension of safety shield 10. Cylinder24 and opening 58 provide a cavity to accommodate needle cannula 15 suchthat segments 14, 16 uniformly extend from the retracted position to theextended position via one handed operation. This configurationadvantageously maintains safety shield 10 in alignment with needlecannula 15 during extension thereof. It is contemplated that cylinder 24may have alternative configurations, such as, for example, rectangular,elliptical, polygonal, etc., or cylinder 24 may have various dimensions,according to the requirements of a particular medical needleapplication.

Distal segment 16 includes a fulcrum 60, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 8A,disposed adjacent a proximal portion thereof to facilitate extension ofsafety shield 10. Fulcrum 60 is configured to engage needle cannula 15to facilitate extension of segments 14, 16 from the retracted positionto the extended position. Fulcrum 60 includes a slot 62 configured toguide needle cannula 15 therein during extension of safety shield 10.Slot 62 defines an opening with walls 64, 65 which receive needlecannula 15 to maintain safety shield 10 in alignment therewith. Walls64, 65 are oriented in a plane substantially transverse to longitudinalaxis x. Wall 64 is oriented substantially orthogonal to walls 65. It isenvisioned that walls 64, 65 may be at various angular orientationsrelative to longitudinal axis x. It is further envisioned that walls 64,65 may be disposed at various angular orientations relative to eachother.

Needle cannula 15 engages wall 64 and wall 65 which serve as a fulcrumand a guide to extend safety shield 10 into alignment with longitudinalaxis x of needle cannula 15. The resistive forces created via engagementof wall 64 and needle cannula 15, and continued manipulation ofmanipulable actuator 18 force such extension of segments 14, 16. Thisconfiguration facilitates extension of safety shield 10 via one handedoperation. It is contemplated that slot 62 may have other configurationssuch as, for example, arcuate walls 64, 65, etc., or alternatively, maydefine a larger or smaller opening, according to the requirements of aparticular medical needle application. It is further contemplated thatneedle cannula 15 may engage only wall 64 or walls 65.

A nose portion 28 of distal segment 16 projects from opening 58 ofcylinder 24 and is in communication therewith via channel 36. Noseportion 28 includes side walls 30 and base 32 that define a cavity 34.Cavity 34 is configured for disposal of needle cannula 15 when safetyshield 10 is in the extended position. Base 32 extends from cylinder 24to the distal end of nose portion 28. Channel 36 connects opening 58 andcavity 34 facilitating extension of safety shield 10.

As segments 14, 16 extend about needle cannula 15, cylinder 24 travelsabout needle cannula 15. Needle cannula 15 is caused to travel throughcavity 34. As safety shield 10 approaches the extended position, needlecannula 15 engages base 32. Base 32 forces segments 14, 16 to furtherextend and align with needle cannula 15 along longitudinal axis xthereof to dispose safety shield 10 in the extended position. In thisposition, needle-cannula 15 is protectively shielded by nose portion 28and safety shield 10 is disposed in the extended position. Safety shield10 thereby prevents hazardous exposure to needle cannula 15, and needletip 17 thereof. This configuration advantageously protects a clinicianand subject from accidental needlestick via one handed operation ofsafety shield 10. Base 32 may cover all or a portion of the undersidesurface of nose portion 28.

Distal segment 16 includes a barbed flap lock 26 that engages needlecannula 15 to fix safety shield 10 in the extend position. As safetyshield 10 approaches the extended position, needle cannula 15 engagesbase 32. Needle cannula 15 is thereby caused to engage lock 26 wherebylock 26 deflects about; needle cannula 15. Continued manipulation ofsafety shield 10, via manual actuator 18, and corresponding engagementof needle cannula 15 and base 32, causes needle cannula 15 to travelover a barbed portion of lock 26 and come to rest on an opposite sidethereof. Lock 26 returns to an undeflected position to non-releasablyfix safety shield 10 in the extended position. This provides an addeddegree of security to the clinician and subject from accidental needlestick. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, proximal segment 14 has abarbed flap lock 126, similar to lock 26, formed on an inner surfacethereof. Lock 126, either alone or in cooperation with lock 26,non-releasably fixes safety shield 10 in the extended position. Otherlock configurations are also envisioned.

In preparation for use of a medical needle shield apparatus, similar tothat described above, a medical needle shield, such as, for example,safety shield 10 is assembled with a medical needle device, such as, forexample, prefilled syringe 11. The method of assembly includes the stepsof providing prefilled syringe 11 and safety shield 10. Needle cannula15 extends from prefilled syringe 11. A needle cover 40 is mounted toprefilled syringe 11 and substantially encloses needle cannula 15.Opening 58 of safety shield 10 is configured for clearance of needlecannula 15 during attachment of safety shield 10 with prefilled syringe11. As discussed above, opening 58 is transversely oriented relative todistal segment 16. It is envisioned that safety shield 10 is providedfor assembly with prefilled syringe 11 at the end of a manufacturingprocess for syringe 11. Others arrangements are contemplated such asintroducing safety shield 10 at various stages of manufacture of syringe11.

Safety shield 10 is positioned for assembly with prefilled syringe 11such that needle cover 40 (FIGS. 9 and 10) and needle cannula 15,substantially enclosed therein, travel through opening 58. It iscontemplated that the component parts of the medical needle shieldapparatus may be manipulated for assembly by personnel, mechanicaldevices, etc. It is further contemplated that the inner surface ofcylinder 24 may or may not engage needle cover 40 during positioning.Prefilled syringe 11 may or may not include the needle cover.

Proximal segment 14 is disposed for mounting with prefilled syringe 11.As discussed, proximal segment 14 includes collar 12. Proximal segment14 is mounted to an outer surface of prefilled syringe 11, via collar12, by way of the several mounting and connection methods discussedabove. This method of assembly for a medical shield apparatus preventsdisturbance of its component parts and advantageously avoidscontamination thereof, particularly needle cannula 15, duringmanufacture.

In use, a medical needle shield apparatus similar to that describedabove, employing safety shield 10 and prefilled syringe 1 1, is properlysterilized and otherwise prepared for storage, shipment and use. Asshown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a needle cover 40 is used to protect needlecannula 15. Needle cover 40 shields, prior to use and to preventinadvertent unfolding or actuation, safety shield 10.

Safety shield 10 is in the retracted position. After completion of amedical procedure employing prefilled syringe 11, actuator 18 ismanipulated such that latches 20 and catches 22 disengage. As safetyshield 10 is urged from the retracted position to the extended positionvia one handed exertion on actuator 18, opening 58 of cylinder 24travels about needle cannula 15. Wall 64 of fulcrum 60 engages needlecannula 15 to extend segments 14, 16 and guide movement thereof, asdiscussed.

Needle cannula 15 becomes positioned within cavity 34 through channel 36to engage base 32. Continued pressure exerted on actuator 18 andcorresponding engagement of needle cannula 15 and base 32 disposessafety shield 10 in the extended position. In the extended position,nose portion 28 shields needle tip 17 in a protective configuration toprevent hazardous exposure thereto, providing security for a clinicianand subject from accidental needle stick. As safety shield 10 isdisposed in the extended position and needle cannula 15 and base 32engage, lock 26 engages needle cannula 15 to non-releasably fix safetyshield 10 in the protective configuration, as discussed.

The invention of the present disclosure may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or essentialcharacteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to beconsidered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, thescope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims ratherthan by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within themeaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended tobe embraced therein.

1. A medical needle shield apparatus comprising: an extensible shieldincluding a first segment and a second segment extending therefrom, thesecond segment including an opening configured for clearance of amedical needle of a medical needle device during attachment of theshield to the medical needle device; and the second segment defining aplanar surface adjacent a distal portion thereof, the planar surfacebeing configured to engage the needle for disposing the shield in anextended position.
 2. A medical needle shield apparatus as recited inclaim 1, wherein the apparatus is monolithically formed.
 3. A medicalneedle shield apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first segmentis articulated to a collar mounted to a device supporting the needle. 4.A medical needle shield apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein thefirst segment has a pair of arms articulated to a collar mounted to adevice supporting the needle.
 5. A medical needle shield apparatus asrecited in claim 3, wherein the collar is configured for mounting to asyringe.
 6. A medical needle shield apparatus as recited in claim 3,wherein the collar includes a latch that engages the extensible shieldto releasably lock the extensible shield in a retracted position.
 7. Amedical needle shield apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein the latchengages a catch on the second segment to releasably lock the extensibleshield in a retracted position.
 8. A medical needle shield apparatus asrecited in claim 3, wherein the collar includes a pair of latchesdisposed for engagement with a pair of catches of the second segment toreleasably lock the extensible shield in a retracted position.
 9. Amedical needle shield apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein theopening is configured for travel about the needle during extension ofthe shield.
 10. A medical needle shield apparatus as recited in claim 1,wherein the second segment includes a fulcrum disposed adjacent aproximal portion thereof, the fulcrum configured to engage the needle tofacilitate extension of the shield from a retracted position to theextended position.
 11. A medical needle shield apparatus as recited inclaim 10, wherein the fulcrum includes a slot configured to guide theneedle therein during extension of the shield from the retractedposition to the extended position.
 12. A medical needle shield apparatusas recited in claim 1, wherein the second segment includes a noseportion which includes at least a portion of the planar surface.
 13. Amedical needle shield apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the noseportion defines a cavity for disposal of the needle therein.
 14. Amedical needle shield apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein thecavity is defined by side walls and the planar surface of the noseportion.
 15. A medical needle shield apparatus as recited in claim 1,wherein the second segment includes a lock that engages the needle tofix the shield in the extended position.
 16. A medical needle shieldapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first segment includes alock and the second segment includes a lock which cooperates to fix theshield in the extended position.
 17. A medical needle shield apparatusas recited in claim 1, wherein the first segment includes a manualactuator configured to provide an engagement surface for manipulatingthe shield to the extended position.